- Meta has agreed to pay $18 billion as part of a settlement with 52 attorneys general over claims that Facebook and Instagram negatively impact teen mental health.
- The company has also implemented new default safeguards for teens that restrict access to core functions like Reels and Stories during certain times of the day.
- Around $5.3 billion of the overall $18 billion payout is conditioned on industry rivals TikTok and YouTube adopting similar measures.
For a while now, multiple studies have attempted to demonstrate how social media apps can have a detrimental impact on teen mental health. Meta-owned platforms like Instagram and Facebook have been at the center of discussions about the negative impact on children, and that’s led to some high-profile lawsuits. Today, Meta is ending one long legal battle by announcing a settlement with 52 attorneys general.
In a statement on its blog, Meta said it will pay around $18 billion as part of the settlement to fund youth online safety initiatives, along with other state activities. It further announced a long list of teen-safety features it will bundle into Facebook and Instagram, while also making some options the default for all teens. Notably, the company has denied any wrongdoing in this major settlement.
